Thieves cut into barn, steal $30,000 in lawnmowers

TIPP CITY, Ohio (WDTN) – It was a call no one ever wants to get while out of town.

For the owner of Landcare Solutions in Tipp City, an employee broke the news about someone stealing the company’s equipment.

“He says there’s a problem,” said Jason McCoy with Landcare Solutions. “I said there can’t be that big of a problem.”

The problem turned out to be more than $60,000 in mowers, vehicles, and other tools stolen during the night.

What came as a shock to McCoy was how the thieves got into his business on the 300 block of Kessler-Cowlesville Road.

Instead of breaking through the door, the thieves cut into the side of the metal barn.

Nothing was in their way as they rummaged through the business ruffling through keys, equipment, and even uniforms before leaving.

“Inside was all Stihl equipment and Exmark mowers,” said McCoy. “The stuff that is missing, the mowers and the handheld, was every bit of $30,000.”

A truck and trailer, also estimated to be about $30,000, would later be found abandoned in Dayton. The lawnmowers were gone.

Since then, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office has released photos of some of theitems stolen including a warning about similar thefts in the area around Tipp City.

The sheriff’s office posted on their Facebook page a warning for people to be on the lookout for possible thieves. They also warn people to deter possible thefts by keeping buildings and vehicles locked and to use exterior lighting on buildings.

“I wish people would just pray for these guys,” said McCoy. “They’re probably hooked on some drug and this is the only option that they have.”

The Miami County Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols in areas that have been affected.

Anyone with information on the recent thefts is asked to call the sheriff’s office.